Lake Elizabeth, Otways, Great Ocean Road

We done this trip back in April 2009 during our tour to Great Ocean Road (GOR). We signed up for a Platypus canoe tour at Lake Elizabeth and need to be at the town of Forrest by 5.30am.

Lake Elizabeth, hidden deep in the Otways near the township of Forrest, is an inspiring sight with heavily timbered flanks and calm waters punctuated by the trunks of dead trees, drowned when the valley was flooded.

The lake was created more than 50 years ago when record rainfall sent thousands of tonnes of rock and earth tumbling into the East Barwon River, damming the river and forming a lake in a remote forested valley.

We started our drive at 4.30am from Apollo Bay, and it took us an hour before we reach our meeting place. The drive can be a little challenging as the roads are dark and winding. We are supposed to meet our guide at the front of a small general merchandise store in small town of Forrest.

From Forrest we drove another 10-15mins before starting our walk (around 30 mins) to the lake through Otways forest, with its towering trees and dense fern glades. By the time we got to the lake, the sun is about to rise and the scene of the lake was really captivating (with all the fogs and dead tree trunks). I was lucky to be able to capture the peaceful mood with this shot. Lighting was low and therefore holding the camera firmly was really required.

We prepared our canoe and set off ... Catching glimpse of platypus coming out of their bed for food. We even had breakfast on our canoe and enjoying this untouched nature site.

The whole tour lasted 3-4hrs. The platypus photos are provided by Bruce, our tour guide. Good on you Bruce! We highly recommend you do this tour in your next visit to GOR.


Otway Eco Tours
10 Blundy St Forrest VIC 3236 
Ph: 03 5236 6345 
bruce.jackson@aapt.net.au
http://platypustours.net.au